At the beginning of the second day, low turnout at various polling stations

Attempts to direct voters and influence their will

Delays in opening some polling stations

Today, Wednesday Jan. 15, 2014, the voting process on the second and last day of the referendum continues where Egyptians went to cast their votes on the new draft constitution throughout the 27 governorates of Egypt, albeit a lower turnout than the first day until the release of this report. ECME observers have monitored a number of violations ranging from delay in opening the doors of the polling stations, attempts to influence the will of the voters, election propaganda, and presence of some violations inside polling stations.

ECME observers have monitored the course of the voting process with some violations until the release of this report at 11:30 pm, as follows:

In Menoufia Governorate, ECME’s observers have monitored late opening of the polling stations at the Experimental Secondary School, Shibin El-Kom City until 09:15 am.

In Minya Governorate, ECME’s observers have monitored late opening of the polling stations at (Om Nakhla Primary School and Om Nakhla Preparatory School) at Dirout District until 09:20 am.

In Aswan Governorate, ECME’s observers have monitored the late opening of polling stations of the preparatory school at Naja Helal, Al-Hagz Al-Bahri, Edfo until 1.30 am; health unit at Khawa, Hagz Area, Edfo District until 10.30 am; and Khelh Sharq primary school until 10.00 am.

Second: Violations inside the polling stations

In Damietta Governorate, ECME’s observers have monitored some violations inside the polling stations at Sawalem Primary School – Kafr Saad District, including absence of lists of voters and any type of guidance on the voting process around the polling place.

In Alexandria Governorate, ECME’s observers have monitored some violations inside polling station no. (46) for men at Al-Mosher Ahmad Badawi Secondary School for boys – Moharam Bek, including lack of curtains behind which voters can cast their ballots.

Third: Influence on the will of voters and the election propaganda

In Minya Governorate, ECME’s observers have monitored attempts of four election supervisors on polling stations (Salaqus primary schools at Al-Edwah, Al-Ashmonen Elementary School at Malawi, Safaniah Primary School at Al-Edwah, and Menbal Primary School at Matai) to influence on the will of voters and direct them to say “Yes”. Heads of the relevant polling stations were informed of the issue and decisions were taken to exclude them from supervising the polling stations. ECME’s observers have also monitored a number of persons directing voters to vote with “yes” near polling station no. (54) at Ahmad Anwar in Tambo School , Beni Mazar. The same has occurred in front of Qassem Amin Secondary School for Girls polling stations no. (95 and 103) where a number of persons belonging to Mostaqbal Watan Campaign directing voters to vote with “yes” and a number of persons belonging to the same Campaign directing voters to vote with “yes” in front of the Expatriate Polling Stations at Minya Military Secondary School in the City of Minya.

In Sohag Governorate, ECME’s observers have monitored a referendum supervisor at Tama Secondary School for Girls directing voters to vote with “no” and the head of polling station excluded him after making many complaints by voters in this regard.

In Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, ECME’s observers have monitored the head of polling station no. 113 in Abu Mandour Village, Dosouk, directing voters for influencing on their will to override their votes.

In Dakahlia Governorate, ECME’s observers have monitored a supervisor at polling station no. 92 at Belqas Preparatory School for Boys directing voters in an attempt to direct voters to influence their will to vote with “no”. This was reported to the head of polling station who decided to exclude the supervisor from the polling station.

In Port Said Governorate, ECME’s observers have monitored a number of persons distributing publications for voting with “yes” in front of the polling station of Port Said Secondary School for Girls.

Fourth: Temporary Suspension of Voting

In Luxor Governorate, ECME’s observers have monitored the suspension of voting as polling stations no. (83 and 84) at Al Azhar Asfoon Primary School were closed for the absence of the head of polling stations until another judge arrives.

It is noteworthy that the ECME is composed of about 128 human rights and development organizations and associations throughout 27 governorates. The operating room, held at the headquarters of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR), is composed of the EOHR, Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights (ECWR), and Andalus Institute for Tolerance & Anti-Violence Studies.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 15th, 2014 at 3:21 pm
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